Is Building a Shipping container home a good idea? FIND OUT HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN

Purchasing raw, vacant land differs significantly from buying a house, primarily because securing financing for land is more challenging. I opted to pay cash for a 10-acre lot, initially listed at $24,000. I offered $20,000, ensuring the property was near water and electrical utilities before finalizing the deal. I also asked the seller if a property survey had been conducted in the last decade. When they said no, I explained my lower offer.

Survey

My first step was to commission a surveying firm. I contacted several local firms via email to get quotes for a full topographical survey and plot plan, including all building setbacks. Setbacks are crucial as they determine where I can place the house, aiming to position it near the property boundaries to minimize the cost of driveway construction and utility connections. The survey cost $4,000.

Buying the Shipping Containers

We purchased one-trip condition high-cube containers. California law requires documentation ensuring that shipping containers used for homes haven't previously contained toxic or radioactive materials. This typically means buying one-trip condition containers with proper certificates. I bought my containers from Container Discounts, paying $4,800 each for the 40-foot high-cube containers and $3,250 for the 20-foot high-cube container. High-cube containers are a foot taller than standard ones. For those interested in buying shipping containers, I strongly recommend Shipping Container home for their knowledgeable staff and good prices.

Permits

I recommend visiting the local building department in person with your survey to request a checklist of requirements for obtaining building permits. The survey is essential as it provides the building department with both the physical layout and legal boundaries of the property. I explained my intention to build a shipping container house and requested a comprehensive list of necessary steps and submissions for permit approval. Requirements vary by county; my property falls under San Bernardino County's jurisdiction.

Architectural Design

I utilized my architecture firm, ZeroEnergy Design, to create the architectural drawings. Despite being a co-owner, I paid the firm for the preparation hours, ensuring fairness to my partners. The architectural drawings cost $5,000. I didn't need extensive detail since I planned to handle much of the construction myself, just enough to secure permitting.

Structural Engineering

The architectural drawings were sent to a structural engineering firm, which provided the structural details and a package of calculations demonstrating compliance with code requirements, ensuring a safe and strong building. This package was necessary for the building department. Since my architecture firm doesn't have a stamp in California, I had the structural engineering firm stamp the documents. The building department allowed either the architectural or engineering firm to stamp the documents.

Hiring a General Contractor

Being new to the Joshua Tree area, I hired a general contractor to assist with the project and recommend local tradespeople like plumbers and electricians. We agreed on a time-and-materials contract, where I advanced funds weekly based on the expected work, with the contractor providing receipts for the expenses. This pay-as-you-go system is suitable for unconventional projects involving the owner. For straightforward construction, I prefer a fixed-price contract. For unconventional projects, builders tend to overbid on fixed-price contracts due to the complexities involved.

Foundation Design

We decided on a monolithic slab-on-grade concrete foundation. We considered piers to save on material costs, but this would have classified the space under the container as a crawl space, requiring the container's bottom to be at least 18 inches off the ground. This would necessitate building stairs and railings for all the decks.